Anti-rattle guide block for sliding closures



Sept. 15, 1959 E. P. ROMANOSKI 2,903,755

' ANTI-RATTLEY GUIDE BLOCK FOR SLIDING CLOSURES Filed March 28. 1957 Fig.

F/ .3 E-=-40 L Edmh P. Romanosk/ INVENTOR.

9 BY MMFM United States Patent ANTI-RATTLE GUIDE BLOCK FOR SLIDING CLOSURES Edwin P. Ronlanoski, Tucson, Ariz., assignor to Roman Metal Products, Inc., Tucson, Ariz., a corporation of Arizona Application March 28, 1957, Serial No. 649,165

1 Claim. (Cl. 20-19) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in closure structures, and more specifically to an improved guide block.

At the present time there is being manufactured closures in the form of windows and doors which utilize metal frames both for the closure itself and for the closure assembly. In order to provide an effective seat between a frame member of the closure and the frame of the closure assembly, there is provided suitable weather-stripping. However, the weather-stripping generally is of the brush type so as to provide an effective seal and does not have suflicient rigidity to prevent rattling of the metal surfaces of the closure assembly. This is particularly true in the case of windows and doors which are exterior ones and exposed to variable pressures due to wind forces thereupon.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an anti-rattle guide block for sliding closures, the guide block being of such a construction whereby it may be positioned within a frame member of a closure and engage a track member of a frame of a closure assembly so as to prevent relative transverse movement between the closure and the closure assembly frame and thus eliminate rattling.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved guide block for use in conjunction with sliding closures, the guide block being of a size to conveniently fit within a channel-shaped frame member of the closure and receiving a track member of the frame of the closure assembly, there being provided a simple mounting for the guide block in the form of a single fastener passing transversely through the frame member of the closure and the guide block in retaining the guide block in a position seated within the frame member of the closure.

A further object of this invention is to provide a guide block construction which is of such a nature whereby it may be positioned within a channel-shaped frame member of a closure between weather-stripping carried by the frame member and engageable with the track member of a frame of a closure assembly simultaneous with the engagement of the weather-stripping with the track member so that the guide block will prevent rattling of the closure with respect to the frame of the closure assembly and at the same time the closure will be sealed with respect to the frame of the closure assembly.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of the upper portion of a door assembly with portions of the door frame being broken away and shown in section to illustrate the position of a guide block therein;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by the section ice line 22 of Figure 1 and shows further the details of the door assembly of Figure 1 including the specific mounting and relationship of one of the guide blocks;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 2 and shows the guide blocks of Figure 2 in conjunction with weather-stripping for the door panel of a door assembly; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the guide blocks.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated a door assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The door assembly 10 includes a frame which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 12, the frame 12 being seated in a suitable opening 16 in a wall 14.

Mounted within the frame 12 for sliding movement is a door panel which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 18. Also mounted within the frame 12 is a fixed door panel 20 and a sliding screen panel which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 22. Inasmuch as the present invention deals with the door panel 18, further discussion of the door assembly 10 will be so limited.

It is to be noted that the door panel 18 includes an upper header member 24 which is of a channel-shaped cross section and includes a depending flange 26. Abutting the flange 26 is a sealing strip 28 received over the upper end of the glass panel 30. The sealing strip 28 is retained in place by a U-shaped retaining strip 3-2.

Among other components, the frame 12 includes a depending track member 34 for the header member 24. The track member 34 is disposed centrally with respect to the channel portion of the header member 24 and is engaged by a pair of guide blocks 36. The guide blocks 36 are disposed within the channel-shaped header member 24 adjacent opposite ends thereof, as is best illustrated in Figure 1.

The guide block 36 is of a constant cross section and includes a lower portion 38 which is of a width to be snugly seated within the channel portion of the header member 24. The guide block 36 is also of a height so as to terminate flush with the upper edge of the header member 24. The guide block 36 is provided with an upwardly opening central recess 40. The recess 40 extends longitudinally of the guide block 36 and is of a width to snugly receive the track member 34. Inasmuch as there are provided .two guide blocks 36, one at each end of the header member 24, it will be seen that the header member 24 is guided with respect to the track member 34 through the use of the guide block 36 and that vibration and other transverse movement of the door panel 18 is thus prevented by the guide blocks 36.

In order that the guide blocks may be removably installed within the header member 24, each guide block 36 is provided with a transverse bore 42. Similar bores 44 and 46 are formed in the header member 24 in alignment with the bore 42. The bore 46 is internally threaded and there passes through the bores 44, 46 and 42 a threaded fastener 48 which retains the guide block 36 in place.

The guide block 36 has upper portions thereof along each side thereof cut out or removed to provide longit-udinal recesses 50. The recesses 50 are provided for the purpose of providing space for base portions 52 of Weather-stripping 54. The weather-stripping 54 are carried by the opposite parts of the header member 24 in opposed relation. The weather-stripping 54 is illustrated as being of the brush type and each includes a brush portion 56 which engages a face of the track member 34, as is best illustrated in Figure 2. It is noted that the brush elements 56 are disposed above the guide block 36. Thus, the guide blocks 36 cooperate with the weather-stripping 54. Because of the provisions of the recesses 50, the guide blocks 36 in no way interfere with the mounting of the weather-stripping 54 and the weather-stripping 54 in no way interferes with the mounting of the guide blocks 36 in their function.

It is to be understood that the guide blocks 36 may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastics, all types of metals, wood, fiber, leather, etc. Further, while a door assembly has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the guide blocks 36 may be used equally as well in conjunction with windows and other similar closures.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A closure assembly comprising a frame including an upper frame member, a narrow track member depending from said upper frame member, a closure including a frame formed of outwardly opening channel members, one of said channel frame members being an upper member of said closure frame and receiving said track member and opposing said upper frame member, said one channel frame member having smooth flanges, a guide block disposed within said one channel frame member adjacent each end thereof, each of said guide blocks being snugly received in said one channel frame member and having a longitudinal recess snugly receiving said track member to restrain said closure against transverse movement relative to said frame, longitudinally extending weather stripping disposed within said one channel frame member in opposed relation and engaging said track member intermediate said upper frame member and said guide blocks, said guide blocks having outer recesses opposing said flanges of said one channel frame member, said Weather stripping elements having base portions passing through said recesses.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,627,092 Grossman Feb. 3, 1953 2,680,269 Watkins June 8, 1954 2,699,204 Davis Jan. 11, 1955 2,719,340 Best et al. Oct. 4, 1955 2,791,006 Eichler May 7, 1957 

